The Departure of the "Han Han" Lion: End of the Owner of the Most Famous Photo in a Chinese Zoo

The lion “Han Han” died at the age of 17 in a zoo in China, after years of fame gained thanks to his unusually appearing mane, which attracted visitors’ attention and sparked widespread discussion on social media.

This age is close to the average lifespan of lions living in captivity, which typically ranges between 20 and 25 years, and is higher than the average lifespan of lions in the wild, which ranges between 10 and 14 years. Han Han became famous for his unique mane style, prompting some visitors in the past to question its naturalness and accuse the zoo management of altering his appearance to attract attention. However, the zoo management denied these allegations, affirming that the mane’s shape occurred naturally as a result of the lion’s habit of licking its paws, which over time led to the distinctive hair growth that had piqued the public’s curiosity for years.